The Calgary Flames had their eye on Anthony Peluso for the past month.

As for the 29-year-old — a first time dad of three-month old son Sebastian — he was eager to find a home, having spent the entire off-season angling for a contract.

“It’s been a bit of a long summer,” said the Barrie, Ont., resident whose one-year deal with the Washington Capitals expired. “But that’s the nature of the beast, this business. My wife (Courtney) was probably on me more than anybody, wondering if anything was going to pan out. But I think she’s happy as well that something got done.”

The Flames inked the veteran of 144 NHL games to a one-year, two way contract worth an average annual value of $650,000. The right-shot, right winger adds an element of competition to what is shaping up to be a tough team to beat in 2018-19.

“In today’s game, you have to be able to play,” said Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “You have to be able to skate and, in his role, get in on the forecheck. He’s a presence … I know he’s coming in very motivated and we’re excited to see him. We’ll see where it goes but I know he’s excited.”

The hope is Peluso, six-foot-three and 225-pounds, can bring a physical element that the team lost when they traded Micheal Ferland as part of the Dougie Hamilton trade to the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this summer.

“He wants to provide cover for our group and make sure everyone feels comfortable on the ice,” Treliving said. “Having said that, you have to battle to get on our team with people that I think are going to push for jobs. You just do the math. He’s like a lot of guys coming in here.

“He can be an intimidating guy … Having a physical element is something we wanted to make sure we had that in our deck of cards.”

While Peluso was with his wife Courtney at the end of May, who was well past her due date, he was able to be part of the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Capitals organization — a feeling which he explained was contagious.

“It was fantastic,” Peluso said. “You look at someone like Ovi, who has been in the league for so long and has been so close to winning it. For him to finally win and to have the whole team enjoy it, it just kind of gives everyone around them that was watching kind of say, ‘Well, this is what you work towards.’ Everyone’s goal is to win a Stanley Cup but to actually see people go through it … People that you talk to, and I know (James) Neal has won it, he says there’s nothing like it. I have a little bit of jealousy and envy.”

It’s a strong enough feeling to make him want to earn a spot on the Flames’ roster this fall, and try to help the franchise achieve the ultimate goal of every National Hockey League player.

And Peluso is hungry.

He spent parts of four seasons with the Winnipeg Jets after the organization claimed him off waivers from the Blues on Jan. 16, 2013. After season-ending surgery in January 2017, Peluso inked a pact with the Capitals but spent 38 games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears and logged only two big league appearances.

Now, with the Flames, he’s itching to get a chance.

“Everything you work for is about opportunity,” said Peluso who, prior to being picked up by the Jets, played parts of four seasons with the Peoria Rivermen. “I’m trying to make the best of this opportunity. I’m super excited to get started. I’ve been training hard and at times it’s been tough, at times, mentally going this long without a deal. For me to be in Calgary, is definitely the main goal.”

The former sixth round (160th overall) selection of the St. Louis Blues in 2007 describes himself as a sheriff.

“I want to make sure everyone on my team feels safe and that someone has their back,” said Peluso who has scored four times and added 10 assists along with 213 penalty minutes in 144 NHL contests. “A big, physical winger. I’m going to be tough on the forecheck and a hard guy to play against. I’m a big body and move around well.I think that aspect of my game will open up space for other players.”

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